The Drive-Thru is Not Always Faster by Mike Lyles

Author:Mike Lyles
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: BookBaby
Published: 2019-10-25T17:11:19+00:00

Chapter 18:

What Would You Do if You Were Not Afraid?

“Regret is the most expensive emotion.”

Mike Lyles

When I was a teenager, I did not know how to swim. My friends had learned at much younger ages, and I was growing more and more embarrassed that I had never learned. I would still get into pools on vacations and events with friends. But I would never go into the deep end and would never consider jumping off the diving board. When I finally had enough of the embarrassment, I signed up for a swimming class. It was frightening because I was so afraid of failing. I gave everything I had and put forth the effort to learn. After several lessons with the instructor, I was terrified when she said, “Now let’s try the diving board.”

I clearly remember the steps to get me up on the diving board. I remember walking on the board and feeling it bend and wobble with every step. I remember the instructor saying to me, “You do not have to dive. All I want you to do is jump feet first into the water.” Sounded simple, right? I was shaking inside. I wanted to do this. I wanted the instructor to continue to believe I was giving everything I had to learn. I stood there looking down at the water for what felt like hours. The instructor kept saying, “You can do this. Jump.” After a few minutes of standing there and pulling myself together, I took the leap, and landed feet first into the deep end of the pool. My fear was gone.

Amelia Earhart said, “The most difficult thing is the decision to act. The rest is merely tenacity.” Think about some of your greatest accomplishments in life. What fears did you have before reaching them, and how did you overcome those fears? Now think about those things you want to accomplish in the future. What fears are related to those accomplishments, and what can you do today to remove those fears?

We rarely get to see or know how the future will play out. Fear can impact your ability to make a difference in so many lives, including your own. Do not miss an opportunity to achieve a dream, a major goal, or greatness simply because you are afraid.

You are stronger than you believe. You are better than you think you are also. You have more within you than you think. And with a strong will and a dedicated attitude, you can do anything you set your mind to accomplish.

I was afraid to jump off the diving board because I feared I was not good enough to swim. But I took the leap and it changed everything from that point forward.

If you have something you want to do but you are afraid, document your options and the risks. Write down what you want to do, take note of the risks, take note of the consequences if those risks become reality, and take note of the benefits of success.

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